WBB: Northwest Conference

[LogShow]

Tough game for the Logs...IWU is tough.  Good luck to the Logs as league play starts!!

[wildcat11]

Well...NWC play starts tonight.  Looks like Fox hasn't missed a beat this year with Whitman being a major threat. 

BTW.....Catdomehoops.com has loaded up the video highlights from Linfield's 07-08 season.  You can check them out at the Video Vault

[LogShow]

Good Luck tonight Loggers!

[LogShow]

Great weekend Loggers...heck of a defensive effort!

[80sshorts]

Has anyone seen PLU play this year?  I'm curious to see how much they've improved upon last year, their 3-0 start seems pretty impressive including that 33 point win over UPS, and it looks like they're somewhat deep.  Anybody think they'll be legit contenders for the NWC tournament title?

[BruinFan]

I haven't seen PLU play this year. It's certainly too early to rule them out of having a chance at winning the NWC tournament title. I would give any team that makes the conference tournament a chance at winning it and PLU will be in the hunt for playing beyond the regular season.

I'm looking forward to see how the game between the Lutes and the Bruins turns out on Saturday.

[BruinFan]

Any predictions for the 2nd half of conference play?

Here is how I think the final standings will play out.

1. George Fox - Just too much of a lead and only away games are at UPS, Pacific, and Linfield.
2. UPS - Home games against the top teams, and toughest road games will be Pacific and LC.

With all the thinking that this year would break up the recent lock George Fox and Puget Sound have had on the NW Conference, nothing much will have changed by play-off time.

3. Whitman - Makes the conference play-offs with a solid 3rd place finish.

Conference play-offs have expanded to four teams this year. So who earns the 4th spot?

I believe it will be a close battle between Whitworth, PLU, and Pacific. (yes the Boxers)

Drum roll .............

4. Pacific - Based on a 2nd half with only 3 away games. They travel to Linfield, Willamette, and a pivotal game at PLU.  If they can defend the home court, they just might make it in. PLU and Whitworth each have 5 road games.

I don't think the Lewis and Clark Pioneers will make a serious run as they have 5 road games on the schedule.

Maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on away games, but I think the conference is usually strong enough that any win on the road does not come easily.

Looking forward to the next 4 weeks of basketball. Anyone else want to join the conversation?

[LA RAMS]

I got to see Whitman play here in the Twin Cities back in November when they played at the Macalester Classic.  I was very impressed with them and I thought they'd have a decent shot at winning the NWC.

Would like to see more matchups between MIAC and NWC teams during the regular season as we don't seem to fare too well against you guys in the NCAA Tournament.

[80sshorts]

I also see UPS pulling away with the 2nd seed, especially after Whitman lost tonight to Pacific.  It seems like UPS doesn't always have enough firepower, but they did give George Fox a very tough game a couple weeks ago in Newberg, the Bruins could have trouble when they go back up to Tacoma next week...

[Pugetsoundfan]

The Logs don't have much firepower, but wow are they solid defensively and smart offensively.  It'd be hard to ignore Fox going undefeated or darn close with 10 frosh, but Barcomb has done a truly amazing job with this crew--coach of the year?

[LogShow]

Got to agree with you Pugetsoundfan.  Barcomb is a great coach!  Big big game for UPS this saturday.  UPS might get GFU.

What do you think 80sshorts...nervous at all?  Also you were by chance at the GFU men's game last Saturday against Whitman?  Sounds like the old coach from UPS got a bit animated.

[NWCSportsFan]

First time to post a comment. 

The GFU-UPS women's game should be a great one this weekend.  Both teams seem to have improved over the past few weeks.  Scott Rueck has taken a team with no returning starters, only one senior and 9 frosh to #5 (WBCA)/#6(D3Hoops) in the country and undefeated for the year.  You can't do any better than that.   

I was at the GFU-Whitman men's game last weekend.  The Whitman coach lost it when one of his players was called for a flagrant foul with about 1 minute to go in the game and Whitman down by 4 or 5 I think.  He was hit with two technicals and kept yelling at the refs as he left the floor. 

[80sshorts]

If I were George Fox I would be very worried about Puget Sound on the road.  It looks like UPS has their groove back and the Fieldhouse is not a fun place for the Bruins to play.  If GFU loses any games in their regular season, tomorrow will be the one.

[BruinFan]

If I were George Fox I would be very worried about Puget Sound on the road.  It looks like UPS has their groove back and the Fieldhouse is not a fun place for the Bruins to play.  If GFU loses any games in their regular season, tomorrow will be the one.

I don't believe George Fox is taking anything for granted playing Puget Sound tonight. They made the drive up to Tacoma last night after their win against Lewis and Clark.

I agree this game is the main threat to end their winning streak. The Bruins expect a tough game and know they will need to play well to win.

[BruinFan]

Halftime and George Fox leads UPS 21-10.
I can only by the Live Stats, but both teams struggled to make shots. I don't know if everyone came out tight or a result of smothering defense which both these teams are capable of doing.